Opium Exhibition mluhrs April 3, 2022
Opium: The Business of Addiction

Opium: The Business of Addiction was a special exhibition on view at the museum April 27, 2022 – March 26, 2023. It told the story of the Forbes family’s involvement in the 19th c. opium trade, its links to the current opioid epidemic, and its lasting impact on US-Sino relations.

The Opioid Project: Changing Perceptions Through Art and Storytelling was a companion exhibit on view at the Milton Public Library November 15 – December 29, 2022. Through collages and recorded statements by Milton residents who have been personally impacted, the exhibit contextualized and brought to life the human costs of the opioid epidemic. Take a virtual tour of The Opioid Project.

For Teachers
We’ve prepared a brief overview of good-to-know information that will answer many of your questions and help you prepare for an engaging experience, whether you choose to visit the Forbes House in person or experience the exhibit online. Click here to download the Word document (.docx file).

This exhibition was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, IGSM-249469-OMS-21 and ARPML-250857-OMLS-22, and the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Other funders include the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mass Humanities, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Milton, Courageous Conversations Toward Racial Justice, Peter and Kathy Markell, and the Milton Coalition.

Programs

The history and legacy of the opium trade are complicated, involving political, economic, cultural and medical factors. To better understand the trade and how it relates to our lives today, the museum is hosting a range of programs throughout the coming year.

Ticket purchases are required.

PAST PROGRAMS

The Opium Trade in Context: Local, Global and Modern Connections

One-Day Teacher Workshop

Wednesday, June 29, 2022
8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Forbes House Museum at 215 Adams Street, Milton, MA, and the Milton Public Library at 476 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA

The China Trade: Race, Relationships, and Reconciliation

Thursday, May 12, 2022
7 – 8:30 pm

Panel discussion facilitated by Courageous Conversations Toward Racial Justice
Hybrid event: Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue, Milton, Keys Room and on ZOOM

Jessica Lahey: Raising Healthy Kids

Thursday, April 7, 2022 from 7-8:30 pm
Milton High School auditorium, 25 Gile Road, Milton, MA

Hosted by our partners The Milton Coalition

Patrick Radden Keefe,
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Family Dynasty 

AND

Evan Hughes,
The Hard Sell: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Start-Up

Thursday, March 24, 2022

John Halpern, M.D.,
Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World

Thursday, March 3, 2022